The Hare and the Hedgehog by Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Jonas Laustroer Ages 5-8 48 pages minedition November 2015 Hardcover     In Lauströer’s latest picture book, a hedgehog and a hare race to see who is fastest. Whoever gets to the end of the field first will win a bottle of mead and a gold coin. The hedgehog is determined to win because the hare insulted him when he was out walking to see the turnip garden: “It seems to me you might use your legs for a better purpose.” With the help of his wife, who looks exactly like him, he is able to outwit the long-legged hare and seemingly win the race; all seventy-four times. At the end of the final race, the hedgehog’s family dance around the rabbit’s dead body. This cautionary tale, about the consequences of pride and belittling someone, is beautifully illustrated. The artwork is realistic in style, and set in the early fall. The animals wear clothes from the past. Quills poke through all the hedgehogs’ clothing (even the hat and stockings), and the hare walks wears short pants and a jacket with long tails. The countryside is dotted with wild flowers alongside furrowed fields. Black silhouettes of a hare and hedgehog appear under the pages with text. I’ve seen quite a few versions of the story about the race between the tortoise and the hare, but never one about a hedgehog. Both are slow-moving animals, but in this story, the hare underestimates the hedgehog because of the appearance of his legs (“Which are crooked by nature”), not his lack of speed. The hare is “terribly snooty” and speaks in a “very disapproving manner”. Neither animal displays good sportsmanship in this story, but the ending could lead into discussions about it.     web reviews   Tanya Boudreau/2016 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)